Understanding human behavior helps the leadership meet the challenges
Managing emotions
The article, ‘ Managing Emotions in the Workplace: Do Positive and
Negative Attitude Drive Performance’ has articulated a very important
aspect of psychoanalytical concept of human behavior. It is very true
that individuals’ emotions and general frame of disposition greatly
influences his/her performance. A cheerful person tends to bring
happiness with him whereas a despondent individual spreads tension and
negativity. Barsade, Wharton Professor correctly surmises that emotions
travel like virus and impact other people’s performance and creativity.
Interaction amongst workforce within an organization is intrinsic part
of cohesive work ideology. Thus, a person who brings in negative energy
like tension, worry, fear, disgust etc. is likely to adversely influence
organizational performance.
I think organizational leadership is vital tool that promotes optimistic
disposition that looks at adversity as challenges to be exploited for
improved performance. I also believe that effective communication and
non verbal behavior are critical aspects of inter personal interaction
that send out important messages of sincerity and trust. Indeed,
emotional intelligence encourages understanding of human behavior so
that messages are correctly interpreted and not under some emotional
upheaval. It is for this reason that tough decisions or important
information that may impact people should be conveyed face to face. It
helps to understand and rationalize issues and information positively.
Indeed, understanding of human behavior helps the leadership to meet the
challenges. They are better equipped to encourage proactive
participation of individuals for improved productivity.
At the same time, it also helps them to diffuse conflicting situations
in the workplace. Hence, organizational culture must promote
understanding of human behavior and human psychology so that negative
emotions of people can be turned into assets that can be exploited for
higher performance. (words: 280)
Reference
Managing Emotions in the Workplace: Do Positive and Negative Attitude
Drive Performance. Retrieved from: http://knowledge. wharton. upenn.
edu/article. cfm? articleid= 1708 April 18, 2007.